Hanging adjustable light support

ABSTRACT

The present invention involves a light support device having an attachment portion and a support portion. One end of the attachment portion is hook-shaped for hanging the device over a rod or beam. The hook-shaped end can be various sizes to fit over various-sized supports. The other end of the attachment portion includes an opening for attachment to the support portion. The support portion is preferably bell-shaped with a lip at one end for supporting an attached light source. The other end of the support portion includes preferably two prongs each having an opening for receiving the attachment portion, such that the support portion and attachment portion can be rotated about a common axis. A clamping screw is included within the hook-shaped region of the attachment portion for securely fixing the device to a rod or beam. In an alternate embodiment, the attachment portion can be adjustable in length.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not federally sponsored.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to the field of lighting apparatus. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to adjustable lightsupports.

2. Description of the Related Art

With patio use by homeowners becoming more popular over the past severaldecades, there has been a corresponding increase in the number andvariety of inventions involving patio furniture and accessories. Lightsthat can be attached to upright members, such as umbrella poles, havebecome an accessory commonly utilized in the lighting of outdoor areasand are well known in the art. Using umbrella style lights as anexample, these lights generally contain a clamping mechanism that isused to removably attach the light around the umbrella pole. Theclamping mechanism also typically contains an adjustable means locatedthereon for tightening or loosening the clamping mechanism so that thelight can be adjusted either up or down the umbrella pole. Umbrellastyle lights have become popular for their adjustment features and theability to adequately light up an outdoor area.

The use of an umbrella style light however, requires a person topurchase a table umbrella having a pole support, or to install some kindof upright support member for the umbrella style light to clamp around.In many outdoor settings however, such as in a gazebo or under an opencovered area, a table umbrella having a pole support is not desired orfeasible due to space limitations or decorative purposes. Therefore, thetraditional umbrella style light cannot be utilized in such settings,leaving many outdoor areas without convenient and adequate lightsupporting options.

Although it may be possible to install light supporting apparatus, suchas those that utilize brackets and screws for support, these supportsrequire the use of additional parts (ex: brackets and screws) as well aspower tools for manual installation, which can be costly to purchase.Also, installation of these supports can cause permanentdamage/deformation of the upright member (ex: holes drilled in wood),which can be unsightly if the supports are removed. Further, as theselight supporting apparatus are more permanently fixed in nature thantraditional umbrella style light supports, they cannot be easilyrepositioned or adjusted to suit changing environments.

Therefore, there is a present need for a light support that iscost-effective, portable, does not damage the supporting member, can beeasily adjusted, supports various umbrella style lighting devices, andcan be easily removed and transported to a different support member.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangement of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Inaddition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a lightsupporting device that can be easily attached to a supporting memberwithout the use of a tool.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a light supportingdevice that can be easily adjusted.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a lightsupporting device that can support various umbrella style lights thatutilize clamping mechanisms.

It is another object of this invention to provide a light supportingdevice that can be quickly removed from the supporting member and fixedto another supporting member.

It is a yet a further object of this invention to provide a lightsupporting device that is economical to manufacture.

It is still yet a further object of this invention to provide a new andunique light supporting device to the field of light supports.

These objects and further objects and features of the invention will beapparent to one skilled in the art from the disclosure of the presentinvention as set forth herein.

The present invention involves a light support device having anattachment portion and a support portion. One end of the attachmentportion is hook-shaped for hanging the device over a rod or beam. Thehook-shaped end can be various sizes to fit over various-sized supports.The other end of the attachment portion includes an opening forattachment to the support portion. The support portion is preferablybell-shaped with a lip at one end for supporting an attached lightsource. The other end of the support portion includes preferably twoprongs each having an opening for receiving the attachment portion, suchthat the support portion and attachment portion can be rotated about acommon axis. A clamping screw is included within the hook-shaped regionof the attachment portion for securely fixing the device to a rod orbeam. In an alternate embodiment, the attachment portion can beadjustable in length.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and-form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device with the locking nut detached.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device with the locking nut detached.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device hanging from a support, having alight fixture assembly attached.

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device having an elongated attachmentportion.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device hanging from a deck supportbeam.

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device having an adjustable attachmentportion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified bylike reference numerals, FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of thepreferred embodiment of the hanging adjustable light support device 10.Light support device 10 comprises an attachment portion 20 and a supportportion 40. Attachment portion and support portion are both preferablycomprised of a durable, resilient, and rust-proof material, such as hardplastic, but can be comprised of other materials having similarcharacteristics as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill-in theart.

Attachment portion 20 includes a hook-shaped end 22 for hanging thedevice over a rod or beam (see FIG. 5). The hook-shaped end 22 can bevarious sizes to fit over various-sized supports. Attachment portion 20also includes an attachment end 24. Attachment end 24 preferably has anopening (not shown) through which an attachment bolt 26 passes throughto secure attachment portion 20 to support portion 40. Attachment bolt26 can be secured to attachment portion 20 by an attachment nut 28.However, other securing means can be used as would be recognized by onewith ordinary skill in the art.

Attachment portion 20 also contains an adjustable clamping screw 30 tosecure light support device 10 to a beam, rod, or other support member.Clamping screw 30 is removably engaged within clamping screw opening 29located in attachment portion 20. Clamping screw 30 contains a circularhead 32 located at one end and a plurality of threads 34 located alongits axis towards the opposite end 36. To provide the secure clamping oflight support device 10 to a beam, rod, or other support memberpositioned within the interior space defined by hook-shaped end 22,clamping screw 30 is rotated such that end 36 tightly presses thesupport member against the distal inner wall portion 38 of hook shapedend 22.

Support portion 40 is preferably comprises a bell-shaped structure 42with a lip 44 located at an end 46 for supporting an attached lightsource (see FIG. 3). Bell-shaped structure 42 is preferably designed toaccompany light fixtures having circular clamping mechanisms. However,bell-shaped structure 42 can embody different shapes and sizes toaccompany light fixtures having clamping mechanisms with various shapesand sizes. The other end 48 of structure 42 preferably contains twoprongs 50 extending therefrom. Prongs 50 each have an opening (notshown) for receiving attachment bolt 26 to secure attachment portion 20to support portion 40. When attached, attachment portion 20 and supportportion 40 can both be rotated about a common axis, namely attachmentbolt 26, to achieve a desired positioning of an attached light fixture.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device 10 with attachment nut 28detached, illustrating the relative positioning of attachment portion20, support portion 40, clamping screw 30, hook shaped end 22,attachment bolt 26, prongs 50, bell-shaped structure 42, and lip 44.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device 10 hanging from a support 60,having a light fixture assembly 70 attached. Because light supportdevice 10 contains an adjustable clamping screw 30, light support device10 can hang from a range of supports 60 with varying thicknesses,provided supports 60 fit within the interior region bounded byhook-shaped end 22. Light fixture assembly 70 can be a variety of lightassemblies containing a mechanism for clamping to an upright member, inthis case bell-shaped structure 42. Because structure 42 can vary indimension, including both length and circumference, light fixtureassemblies 70 do not necessarily need to contain an adjustable clampingmechanism. As mentioned, lip 44 (not shown) helps to ensure lightfixture assembly 70 remains secured to light support device 10.

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device 100. Light support device 100comprises an attachment portion 110 and a support portion 130.Attachment portion and support portion are both preferably comprises ofa durable, resilient, and rust-proof material, such as hard plastic, butcan be comprised of other materials having similar characteristics aswould be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.

Attachment portion 110 includes a hook-shaped end 1 12 for hanging thedevice over a rod or beam (see FIG. 5). The hook-shaped end 112 can bevarious sizes to fit over various-sized supports. Attachment portion 110also includes an attachment end 114. Attachment end 114 preferably hasan opening (not shown) through which an attachment bolt 116 passesthrough to secure attachment portion 110 to support portion 130.Attachment bolt 116 can be secured to attachment portion 110 by anattachment nut 118. However, other securing means can be used as wouldbe recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. Attachment portion110 is preferably longer than attachment portion 20 of light supportdevice 10, to enable use of light support device 100 with tallstructures (see FIG. 5), either indoor or outdoor.

Attachment portion 110 also contains an adjustable clamping screw 120 tosecure light support device 100 to a beam, rod, or other support member.Clamping screw 120 is removably engaged within clamping screw opening119 located in attachment portion 110. Clamping screw 120 contains acircular head 122 located at one end and a plurality of threads 124located along its axis towards the opposite end 126. To provide thesecure clamping of light support device 100 to a beam, rod, or othersupport member positioned within the interior space defined byhook-shaped end 112, clamping screw 120 is rotated such that end 126tightly presses the support member against the distal inner wall portion128 of hook shaped end 112.

Support portion 130 is preferably comprises a bell-shaped structure 132with a lip 134 located at an end 136 for supporting an attached lightfixture (see FIG. 3). Bell-shaped structure 132 is preferably designedto accompany light fixtures having circular clamping mechanisms.However, bell-shaped structure 132 can embody different shapes and sizesto accompany light fixtures having clamping mechanisms with variousshapes and sizes. The other end 138 of structure 132 preferably containstwo prongs 140 extending therefrom. Prongs 140 each have an opening (notshown) for receiving attachment bolt 116 to secure attachment portion110 to support portion 130. When attached, attachment portion 110 andsupport portion 130 can both be rotated about a common axis, namelyattachment bolt 116, to achieve a desired positioning of an attachedlight fixture.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device 100 hanging from a support beam152 of a structure 150. As shown, hook-shaped end 112 is sized largeenough to fit over and be securely clamped to support beam 152 byclamping screw 120. Structure 150 can be a range of structuresincluding, but not limited to, a gazebo, awning, arbor, and patio cover.

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of thehanging adjustable light support device 200. Light support device 200comprises an attachment portion 210 and a support portion 230.Attachment portion 210 and support portion 230 are both preferablycomprised of a durable, resilient, and rust-proof material, such as hardplastic, but can be comprised of other materials having similarcharacteristics as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in theart.

Attachment portion 210 includes a hook-shaped end 212 for hanging thedevice over a rod or beam (see FIG. 5). The hook-shaped end 212 can bevarious sizes to fit over various-sized supports. Attachment portion 210also includes an attachment end 214. Attachment end 214 preferably hasan opening (not shown) through which an attachment bolt 216 passesthrough to secure attachment portion 210 to support portion 230.Attachment bolt 216 can be secured to attachment portion 210 by anattachment nut 218. However, other securing means can also be used.

Attachment portion 210 also contains an adjustable clamping screw 220 tosecure light support device 200 to a beam, rod, or other support member.Clamping screw 220 is removably engaged within clamping screw opening219 located in attachment portion 210. Clamping screw 220 contains acircular head 222 located at one end and a plurality of threads 224located along its axis towards the opposite end 226. To provide thesecure clamping of light support device 200 to a beam, rod, or othersupport member positioned within the interior space defined byhook-shaped end 212, clamping screw 220 is rotated such that end 216tightly presses the support member against the distal inner wall portionof hook shaped end 212.

Attachment portion 210 can be adjustable in length to enable lightsupport device 200 to be suspended from support members of varyingheights. In this embodiment, attachment portion 210 is comprised of anouter adjustment member 240 and an inner adjustment member 242 partiallydisposed within outer adjustment member 240. Outer adjustment member 240contains a plurality of holes 244 through which a spring-loaded plunger246 located on inner adjustment member 242 can pass through to securethe length of attachment portion 210. To adjust the length of attachmentportion 210, a user can depress spring-loaded plunger 246 such that itdoes not engage with one of holes 244, while simultaneously moving inneradjustment member 242 up or down to align with the hole 244 representingthe desired length, then can release spring-loaded plunger 246 so thatplunger 246 passes through one of holes 244 and secures the length ofattachment portion 210. Outer adjustment member 240 and inner adjustmentmember 242 can be tubular, rectangular, or other shapes to accomplishdifferent purposes. Further, holes 244 are not limited in amount,spacing, or positioning on outer adjustment member 240. Also, it is tobe recognized that attachment portion 210 can embody alternativeadjustment mechanisms as would be recognized by one with skill in theart, including an adjustment screw, a scissor extending portion, orother conventional adjustment means.

Support portion 230 is preferably comprises a bell-shaped structure 232with a lip 234 located at an end 236 for supporting an attached lightsource (see FIG. 3). Bell-shaped structure 232 is preferably designed toaccompany light fixtures having circular clamping mechanisms. However,bell-shaped structure 232 can embody different shapes and sizes toaccompany light fixtures having clamping mechanisms with various shapesand sizes. The other end 238 of structure 232 preferably contains twoprongs 239 extending therefrom. Prongs 239 each have an opening (notshown) for receiving attachment bolt 216 to secure attachment portion210 to support portion 230. When attached, attachment portion 210 andsupport portion 230 can both be rotated about a common axis, namelyattachment bolt 216, to achieve a desired positioning of an attachedlight fixture.

With respect to the above description it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention,including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent andobvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships tothose illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, theforegoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fallwithin the scope of the present invention.

The above description, together with the advantages of the invention andthe various features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by itsuses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings anddescriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodimentsof the invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

1. A hanging light support apparatus comprising: a) an attachmentportion, the attachment portion having a hook-shaped end for the purposeof hanging the apparatus on a support, the hook-shaped end defining aninterior end region; b) a support portion coupled on one end to theattachment portion, the support portion having at least one surface forthe purpose of engaging a removable light fixture, the support portionfurther comprising a lip on the distal portion thereof for supporting anattached light fixture; c) means for securely affixing the apparatus toa support coupled to said attachment portion, whereby, after theapparatus is securely attached to a beam, rod, or other support memberpositioned within the interior end region by the means for securelyaffixing the apparatus-to a support, a user can removably attach a lightfixture to the support portion to provide lighting for various indoorand outdoor environments.
 2. The hanging light support apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the support portion comprises a bell-shaped structurefor the purpose of allowing light fixtures with circular clampingmechanisms to be removably attached thereto.
 3. The hanging lightsupport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support portion furthercomprises a lip on the distal end for the purpose of providing supportto an attached light fixture.
 4. The hanging light support apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the support portion is rotatably coupled to theattachment portion to allow the support portion to be angularlyadjusted.
 5. The hanging light support apparatus of claim 4, wherein thesupport portion is rotatably coupled to the attachment portion by anattachment bolt, the attachment bolt passing through an attachmentopening within the attachment portion and a correspondingly alignedopening within at least one attachment prong extending from the supportportion, the attachment bolt removably coupled to the apparatus by anattachment nut.
 6. The hanging light support apparatus of claim 1,wherein the means for securely affixing the apparatus to a support is aclamping screw removably engaged within an opening in the hook-shapedend of the attachment portion.
 7. The hanging light support apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment portion is adjustable in length for thepurpose of allowing the apparatus to be suspended from support membersof varying height.
 8. The hanging light support apparatus of claim 1,wherein the attachment portion and the support portion are comprised ofa strong and durable material.
 9. A hanging light support apparatuscomprising: a) an attachment portion, the attachment portion having ahook-shaped end for the purpose of hanging the apparatus on a support,the hook-shaped end defining an interior end region; b) a supportportion coupled on one end to the attachment portion, the supportportion comprising a bell-shaped structure for the purpose of allowinglight fixtures with circular clamping mechanisms to be removablyattached thereto, the support portion further comprising a lip on thedistal portion thereof for the purpose of providing support to anattached light fixture; c) means for securely affixing the apparatus toa support coupled to said attachment portion, whereby, after theapparatus is securely attached to a beam, rod, or other support memberpositioned within the interior end region by the means for securelyaffixing the apparatus to a support, a user can removably attach a lightfixture to the support portion to provide lighting for various indoorand outdoor environments.
 10. The hanging light support apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the support portion is rotatably coupled to theattachment portion to allow the support portion to be angularlyadjusted.
 11. The hanging light support apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe support portion is rotatably coupled to the attachment portion by anattachment bolt, the attachment bolt passing through an attachmentopening within the attachment portion and a correspondingly alignedopening within at least one attachment prong extending from the supportportion, the attachment bolt removably coupled to the apparatus by anattachment nut.
 12. The hanging light support apparatus of claim 9,wherein the means for securely affixing the apparatus to a support is aclamping screw removably engaged within an opening in the hook-shapedend of the attachment portion.
 13. The hanging light support apparatusof claim 9, wherein the attachment portion is adjustable in length forthe purpose of allowing the apparatus to be suspended from supportmembers of varying height.
 14. The hanging light support apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the attachment portion and the support portion arecomprised of a strong and durable material.
 15. (canceled) 16.(canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. The method for making a hanging lightsupport apparatus of claim 15, wherein the attachment portion isadjustable in length for the purpose of allowing the apparatus to besuspended from support members of varying height.
 19. (canceled) 20.(canceled)
 21. A light support apparatus comprising: a) an attachmentportion, the attachment portion comprising an elongated member having ahook-shaped end; b) a support portion rotatably coupled to one end ofthe attachment portion, the support portion substantially comprising abell-shaped structure with a lip on the distal portion thereof forproviding support to an attached light fixture; c) a clamping screwcoupled to the attachment portion for securely fixing the apparatus to asupport, the clamping screw removably engaged within an opening in thehook- shaped end;
 22. The hanging light support apparatus of claim 21,wherein the support portion is rotatably coupled to the attachmentportion by an attachment bolt, the attachment bolt passing through anattachment opening within the attachment portion and a conespondinglyaligned opening within at least one attachment prong extending from thesupport portion, the attachment bolt removably coupled to the apparatusby an attachment nut.
 23. The hanging light support apparatus of claim21, wherein the attachment portion and the support portion are comprisedof a strong and durable material.